Check out this Rainsong on eBay
 

Not something you see everyday. :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RAIN-SONG-AW...8AAOSwzaJX9zMm

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YEEAAO...zMm/s-l500.jpg

Wow! this is an unusual item. I would think that Rainsong would want it for its collection, if it doesn't already have one.

Funky.....
If it stays in tune it would be a unique addition to an eclectic collection.

Unusual indeed, Evan. Have to wonder if the Bigsby was installed after, or at Rainsong. I'll have to ask Ashvin about this one.

That must add a fair bit of weight to the body of an otherwise light guitar, likely affecting its balance. It'd be interesting to see/hear it in use.

I have a hard time believing that a normal acoustic guitar top - even carbon fiber - could support the stress of a Bigsby. If it isn't reinforced underneath I bet that unit deforms the heck out the top when you wang on it. And how is it fastened? Would have to be bolts with nuts, not screws.

I was wondering that too and just figured the base must be thru-bolted (I can see 4 screws/bolts) into under-top reinforcement such that all that actually moves is the trem arm and string tensioners, with only a little pressure/tension actually transferred to the top. Of course, I could be all wrong, but it seems that if it were to work/hold-up at all, it would have to work something like that.

Gretsch has been doing this for a while

http://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/xL...frt_001_rr.png

Most unusual. Here's a video of it actually being played:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqze0FQGepQ

Kinda nice, actually. So far as I could tell, the Bigsby didn't seem to be putting any real stress on the top.

I imagine having the Bigsby installed on an acoustic like that would change the normal vibration of the top. Perhaps a compressor-like effect. It would certainly alter the natural sound of the guitar, whether being whammied or not.

I've confirmed this by attaching various things to the top of my Rainsong Shorty, behind the bridge. Using double-sided tape which is removeable. Lately it's been a stamped brass bridge cover from an old P-bass. It does compress the sound but also adds some dimensionality, and even a bit more volume to the player.

Fun stuff.

I don't see any bridgepin holes, either empty or filled, so I am thinking that this was one of Ashvin's "experaments".

Too rich for my blood...

Actually it does look like the bridge pin holes have been filled. You can see it in this enhanced photo.

https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...69&oe=59199713

I checked with Rainsong, and the Bigsby was not added by them. Looks like someone modified it after purchase.